(Washington, D.C.) - The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is pleased to announce that $535,488 was awarded to arts and humanities organizations in the District of Columbia through the second round of the Cultural Facilities Projects program for fiscal year 2013.

The Cultural Facilities Project grants are awarded to arts and humanities organizations within the District of Columbia that own or rent facilities designed to present performances, exhibitions or professional training so that all District of Columbia residents and visitors can experience the rich culture of our city. Grants provide funding for one of the following areas: purchase of a currently leased venue, planning/design or implementation of capital improvement projects or purchase of long-term fixtures and equipment.

The program was created to help organizations provide access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences for all District of Columbia residents and ensure that facilities are safe, comfortable and efficient, so that arts and humanities organizations may expand audiences and enhance their art form. Applications intended to support or spur economic development initiatives, as well as those that demonstrated environmental responsibility and sustainable building practices, were encouraged.

"The recipients of the second round of Cultural Facilities Projects represent achievement in their disciplines and sustainable models for stabilization within their rapidly growing communities," said Judith Terra, Chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. "We are proud to support their efforts and look forward to helping more organizations and neighborhoods deepen their arts and humanities roots through diverse programming presented by these artists."

"We are pleased to offer this support to organizations whose contributions have revitalized neighborhoods and expanded the tremendous output of the creative economy," said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. "For example, the residential and business boom resulting from the artists and programming at grants recipient Atlas Performing Arts Center is one example of how arts and humanities community have been instrumental in the history and transformation of our city."

A listing of organizations that received funding through the Cultural Facilities Projects Round 2:

APPLICANT

WARD

AWARD

Anacostia Arts Center

8

$54,500

Arena Stage

6

$35,000

Building Bridges/THEARC

8

$36,000

CulturalDC

2

$100,000

The Dance Institute of Washington

1

$28,000

District of Columbia Arts Center

1

$7,195

Folger Shakespeare Library

6

$100,000

The Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital

6

$17,743

Hillwood Museum and Gardens

3

$25,000

Washington DC Jewish Community Center

2

$44,550

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

6

$87,500

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